December 17, 2012

Editorial: More study needed for Muscogee Nation-track deal

"The latest actions of the Tulsa County fair board don't exactly inspire confidence - that is, if you can even understand what's going on. It's getting to the point we need a program to keep the players and the proposals straight.

Suffice to say that any deal to rename fairgrounds facilities that affects horse racing at the Fair Meadows racetrack needs a good bit more study before any final decision is made.

The fair board took action for the third time on Wednesday on a new naming rights agreement for what is now the QuikTrip Center. This time, the board deferred a decision to allow the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, which has been pursuing naming rights, to take a new proposal to its leaders.

This action comes on the heels of the fair board rescinding two previous votes that approved naming rights agreements with the tribe. Those two votes also included provisions that would end live horse racing at the fairgrounds race track, a decision that outraged horse-racing groups in this region."